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Whether you are looking to grow your market share through acquisition, consolidate your position within your industry or diversify your business, it is important that any acquisition transaction aligns with your overall business strategy.

Potential acquisitions should be carefully planned and assessed to find the optimal commercial, strategic and cultural fit. In an environment where the ability to move quickly can determine the success of a transaction, this can be challenging. Additionally, the acquisition process can be complex, as operational, financial and regulatory factors combine to affect the final outcome.

The best way to minimise the risk associated with a business investment is to be in a position to make a well-informed decision regarding the merits and risks associated with your acquisition target. Due diligence provides you with a detailed insight into your acquisition target. The process involves conducting an investigation into the commercial, financial and taxation affairs of the target. We believe that adding value through a due diligence review starts with understanding the reasons why you are seeking to make the acquisition or investment and continues through to the careful design of the due diligence procedures and the presentation of the findings in a detailed written report. We ensure that this report is comprehensive and easy to read, with any identified risks being clearly brought to your attention. The information gathered as part of our due diligence process will increase your knowledge of the business in which you are about to invest and will allow you to make your decision with confidence.

We take an integrated approach to assisting our clients providing end-to-end transaction support from identifying potential acquisition targets and undertaking due diligence, through to helping you negotiate with vendors and assisting with post acquisition integration. Each client is appointed a dedicated team experienced in handling acquisition transactions and a director who will lead the transaction from start to finish regardless of the size of the engagement.

Divestments
The decision to sell your business can be very difficult and emotive, particularly where the sale may be the culmination of a lifetime’s work. Having spent years building a business, realising its optimal value on exit is vitally important. It can, however, be difficult to know where to start.

Preparing your business for sale and to maximise the after-tax consideration received will require a substantial amount of planning and will include understanding the key drivers of the business, its financial performance, quality of management, growth prospects and the objectives of the business owners.

William Buck’s Corporate Advisory team provides complete end-to-end transaction support during the entire sale process using our integrated service line approach, incorporating strategic planning, valuation, specialist taxation and accounting skills.

Our highly experienced senior team has strong transaction skills in successfully completing Divestment (Sell-Side Advisory) transactions across a variety of industry sectors for numerous privately-owned businesses. We are committed to providing responsive, practical and commercial advice and making pro- active recommendations on how to maximise value for our clients and their businesses. We developed the following Divestment (Sell-Side Advisory) process outlined below.

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Our divestment (Sell-side Advisory) process explained

  1. Establish objectives of the business owners
  2. Ensure veracity of financial information
  3. Review business operations to maximise value of the business
  4. Assess value of the business and establish price range for the business
  1. Preparing an information memorandum
  2. Identify and evaluate potential buyers
  3. Prepare data room
  1. Approach priority qualified potential buyers
  2. Exchange confidentiality agreements
  3. Assist potential buyers with their initial review of the business
  4. Create competitive bidding environment and receive offers
  5. Negotiate heads of agreement and other agreements
  6. Manage due diligence Q&A
  1. Finalise sale negotiations
  2. Complete sale including settlement adjustments
  3. Post-sale matters including finalisation of accounts and working capital adjustments

To find out the types of exit strategies business owners are considering as they prepare to exit their business;

Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestments Specialists

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